Ontario Employment Grows by 36,900 Jobs in February

Published on

Ontario Employment Grows by 36,900 Jobs in February

Province continues to support job creators and workers

March 8, 2019 9:55 A.M.

TORONTO - Ontario's Government is working for the people to create and protect jobs by sending the message that 'Ontario is Open for Business'. Good jobs help Ontario families put food on the table, send their kids off to college and university, and save for retirement.

Employment in Ontario increased by 36,900 jobs in February, according to Statistics Canada's announcement this morning. The gains included 59,200 full time positions and 22,300 decrease part time jobs. Since the beginning of 2019, 78,300 jobs have been created in Ontario.

"We promised that we would put Ontario back on track and that is exactly what we are doing," said Todd Smith, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "We know that our work is just beginning. But, we will continue to fight to ensure that we are creating a stable and competitive business environment where new jobs are created, workers are protected, and opportunity and growth is a priority."

The Ontario government is fulfilling its promise of making Ontario Open for Business. Last month, a comprehensive plan for supporting the auto sector — Driving Prosperity: The Future of Ontario's Automotive Sector — was released. It sets out a 10-year vision for how industry, the research and education sector, and all three levels of government, can work together to strengthen the auto sector's competitiveness and bring new jobs to the province.

"Ontario is heading in the right direction," said Smith. "Through our new auto plan and other initiatives, we are laying a foundation for a better economy that will benefit workers and job creators alike. We are working hard to create a streamlined and cost-effective business climate that will help companies invest, innovate and grow right here in Ontario."

Quick Facts

Employment growth occurred in many regions across the province; year-over-year increases include Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie (7.0 per cent), Northeastern Ontario (5.8 per cent) and Kingston-Pembrooke (5.3 per cent). Since June 2018, 163,000 jobs have been created.

In 2018-19, the government saved $3.2 billion by finding efficiencies and reducing spending without compromising front-line services.

The government is now projecting a deficit of $13.5 billion in 2018–19. This represents an improvement of $1.0 billion from the 2018 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, and a $1.5 billion improvement from the $15.0 billion inherited deficit identified by the Independent Financial Commission of Inquiry.